The Prince’s Taste - Chapter 7.12

The Marquis’ lower eyelid twitched, while Richard’s eyes curved with a gentle smile. The outcome of this confrontation was already obvious. After all, no parent can win against their child’s will. Judy Esther let out a quiet sigh and turned her gaze to the large window. Tonight, the full moon looked especially round and bright. It might even be a super moon. In the original story, this would be the historic night the male and female leads fell in love for the ages. Quite befitting that the moon would be so brilliant on a night like this. Truly a beautiful night.

“Do you really think I’d marry Judy off to just anyone? I would search the world to find her the best possible husband.”

“That’s me, the best candidate for a husband.”

The kingdom’s prime minister and the crown prince were speaking so evenly, they might have been discussing the weather. Even the tone of their voices was measured. To those unaware of the content, it sounded like an ordinary conversation.

“There’s no way the man who seduced my innocent daughter is the top candidate for a husband.”

“Innocent… she wasn’t exactly that… more like wicked, perhaps?”

At the word “wicked,” Judy Esther’s expression changed in an instant. Her eyes turned sharp, and Richard cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I mean, I admit it’s my fault. I was so blinded by my love for Judy.”

He corrected himself, but everyone in the hall had heard that loaded word.

“How passionate must Lady Emers be for His Highness to say something like that?”

“Is she as bold in bed as her looks are fiery?”’

“I envy His Highness…”

Whispering voices reached Judy Esther’s ears.

‘Your Highness, quickly settle this mess.’ Judy Esther gritted her teeth and whispered just loud enough for Richard to hear. Richard swallowed hard as he noticed the blue veins stand out on her neck. The Marchioness of Emers had her face hidden behind a large fan, probably cursing furiously under her breath so no one could hear.

“Have you never heard of what happens to royals who lose themselves to a woman? Just accept it.”

“Are you threatening me?”

The Marquis said, stressing every word. Oh, he’s really pouting now, she thought, and Judy Esther let out a long sigh and looked over to her mother. The Marchioness shook her head.

“A black-haired, golden-eyed grandchild…”

“……”

“No, let me correct myself. A granddaughter with pink hair and golden eyes in the Marquis’ arms.”

“Seriously? Already?”

An expletive flew out of the Marquis’ mouth. Judy Esther frowned and shot Richard a look. That was way too blunt. But Richard didn’t flinch, just kept that same calm smile on his face, as if he was already thinking about the child they’d have someday.

“I understand what worries you. And I’ve promised Judy as well—but let me declare this here, in front of all Adrian’s nobles.”

“And what would that be?”

“That there will only ever be one wife for Richard Adrian, Judy Esther Emers.”

The crowd fell silent at Richard’s bombshell. Women gasped and blushed. The man who would be king had just declared his love for only one woman.

“Oh, is that so?”

The Marquis snorted dismissively. His expression said plainly, ‘A man can say anything when he’s trying to seduce a woman.’ Richard flashed a wry smile. Judy Esther couldn’t help but notice how he and her father were mirror images of each other.

“But tell me,” Richard said, pretending to be serious, “if there were any noble who dared to suggest I take another wife—what would the Marquis of Emers do then?”

“Hmph! Who in all of Adrian would be so bold?”

“My thoughts exactly. Aside from the royal family, the only noble with a higher rank than the Marquis in Adrian is Duke Drummell. And the Duke has four sons.”

Who among the nobles didn’t know that Judy Esther held the highest status among unmarried women, excluding the royal family? While conversing with the Marquis, Richard was simultaneously warning the nobles present: recommending a concubine to him meant preparing for an all-out war with the Marquis of Emers.

The House of Emers was a noble family with a long history dating back to the founding of Adrian. Along with the current king and Duke Drummell, they were childhood friends who attended the academy together and remained lifelong friends. Though they maintained formal etiquette in public, they called each other by name in private. They were all stalwart supporters of the royal family.

“And if among them were someone who lacks tact and is greedy enough to aim for the position of the king’s father-in-law, what then will you do? Of course, I’m not saying there is anyone here like that.”

Richard slowly scanned the nobles in the hall, speaking deliberately.

“What answer do you expect from me, Your Highness?”

The Marquess of Emers, now sensing the meaning, replied coldly,

“Exactly what’s in your heart, Marquis.”

“I’m not a warrior, so rather than drawing a sword, I prefer to strangle and kill slowly.”

“That’s too lenient, Father.”

All eyes shifted to a deep, resonant voice. A handsome man with naturally flowing pink hair walked to the center of the conversation. It was Daniel, the eldest son of the Emers family, hailed as a genius of the century.